> Hugo Chavez: U.S. citizens are oppressed by their own government
30 April 2005, 19:19
I think that many Americans do not feel oppressed by their government - they still have "enough" freedoms to get by, go to work, put gas in their cars, drink their lattes, etc.
In agreement with the 2nd poster, I believe it’s a matter of perception. Most Americans are hand-fed news by corporate interests and are generally fat, stupid and happy, just the way the government wants them to be. It’s the radical thinkers that hold all the cards - always have - but they’re extremely splintered and unfocused.
Now, I’ve been railing against high taxes and the Social Security system and the military industrial complex since the end of the 60s, when I was old enough to actually understand what was going on (Vietnam, and my first paychecks). Sorry to say, I have been largely ineffective in making great changes. However, I have lived my life on my terms, giving to the government whatever I thought it deserved from me (not much, considering how they waste so much), as the government allows lots of deductions for business, and I have always run my own business. I was always interested in self-determination and tried as best I could to influence others towards my way of thinking. I did an OK job in that regard.
Self-interest is at the top of priorities for everyone, be they Venezuelan, American, an FBI agent, a solitary citizen, and there’s nothing wrong with that. What is troubling is the overabundance of government influence in our lives, especially when that government (and I don’t blame Reps or Dems, I blame them all and the people who voted for them) also imposes its military will upon other nations without provocation. That, in my opinion, is wrong and should be stopped. As a nation, the United States should lead by example, and the examples being presented to the world are misguided and disturbing.
I truly feel that our leaders in Congress and the administration have an agenda that is not in the best interests of the average American citizen, nor citizens and nations of the world. Until the American public comes to the realization that our contrived two-party system keeps both parties in power and essentially sets up a one-party aristocracy of government and big business, the American citizen is not well represented. It is up to each individual citizen to use reason and action to forment change in his/her own life. I advocate non-participation in as much American normative behavior as possible. Not voting, not engaging in activities which promote corporatism and/or socialism (the left needs to understand that’s not the answer - less government is better) is action that has the potential to free us all.
It’s very true that the vast majority of Americans are dissatisfied with their government, but the way we’ve been TOLD to change is to vote, though our choices are usually between bad and worse. I believe much more can be accomplished by NOT VOTING and letting our "elected" representatives know that they do not represent us (they know; they represent the corporations who pay for their campaigns) and that their choices are not our choices.
If we challenge the system, we can change the system. Challenging only parts of it only can change those parts.
I think that many Americans do not feel oppressed by their government - they still have "enough" freedoms to get by, go to work, put gas in their cars, drink their lattes, etc.
In agreement with the 2nd poster, I believe it’s a matter of perception. Most Americans are hand-fed news by corporate interests and are generally fat, stupid and happy, just the way the government wants them to be. It’s the radical thinkers that hold all the cards - always have - but they’re extremely splintered and unfocused.
Now, I’ve been railing against high taxes and the Social Security system and the military industrial complex since the end of the 60s, when I was old enough to actually understand what was going on (Vietnam, and my first paychecks). Sorry to say, I have been largely ineffective in making great changes. However, I have lived my life on my terms, giving to the government whatever I thought it deserved from me (not much, considering how they waste so much), as the government allows lots of deductions for business, and I have always run my own business. I was always interested in self-determination and tried as best I could to influence others towards my way of thinking. I did an OK job in that regard.
Self-interest is at the top of priorities for everyone, be they Venezuelan, American, an FBI agent, a solitary citizen, and there’s nothing wrong with that. What is troubling is the overabundance of government influence in our lives, especially when that government (and I don’t blame Reps or Dems, I blame them all and the people who voted for them) also imposes its military will upon other nations without provocation. That, in my opinion, is wrong and should be stopped. As a nation, the United States should lead by example, and the examples being presented to the world are misguided and disturbing.
I truly feel that our leaders in Congress and the administration have an agenda that is not in the best interests of the average American citizen, nor citizens and nations of the world. Until the American public comes to the realization that our contrived two-party system keeps both parties in power and essentially sets up a one-party aristocracy of government and big business, the American citizen is not well represented. It is up to each individual citizen to use reason and action to forment change in his/her own life. I advocate non-participation in as much American normative behavior as possible. Not voting, not engaging in activities which promote corporatism and/or socialism (the left needs to understand that’s not the answer - less government is better) is action that has the potential to free us all.
It’s very true that the vast majority of Americans are dissatisfied with their government, but the way we’ve been TOLD to change is to vote, though our choices are usually between bad and worse. I believe much more can be accomplished by NOT VOTING and letting our "elected" representatives know that they do not represent us (they know; they represent the corporations who pay for their campaigns) and that their choices are not our choices.
If we challenge the system, we can change the system. Challenging only parts of it only can change those parts.
Rick Gagliano
Publisher, Downtown Magazine
http://www.dtmagazine.com